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What Comes after Moral Injury?—Considerations of Post-Traumatic Growth

Authors :
Tanzi D. Hoover
Gerlinde A. S. Metz
Source :
Trauma Care, Vol 4, Iss 3, Pp 219-228 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Moral injury is a psychological wound resulting from deep-rooted traumatic experiences that corrode an individual’s sense of humanity, ethical compass, and internal value system. Whether through witnessing a tragic event, inflicting injury on others, or failing to prevent a traumatic injury upon others, moral injury can have severe and detrimental psychological and psychosomatic outcomes that may last a lifetime. Post-traumatic experiences do not have to be a permanent affliction, however. From moral injury can come post-traumatic growth—the recovery from trauma in which personal betterment overshadows moral injury. Moral injury may lead to substantial personal growth, improved capacity and resilience. Based on these observations, it seems that from struggles and darkness, there can be positivity and hope. This review will summarize the current concepts of post-traumatic growth and consider potential mechanisms leading to resilience and recovery through post-traumatic growth. These considerations are gaining more importance in light of a growing number of existential threats, such as violent conflicts, natural disasters and global pandemics.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2673866X
Volume :
4
Issue :
3
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Trauma Care
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.79439ba9a1554de99f0dd925ca047bfb
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/traumacare4030020